Cambridge Named a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community

5/13/2013

As bicycling continues to grow in popularity, leaders in cities across the country, like Cambridge, are embracing the environmental, financial and quality of life benefits that come with a population that likes to ride. Today, the League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) and Cambridge has been named Gold BFC.

“We are inspired when we see places like Cambridge making bicycling safer and more convenient,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We know that investment will be returned many times over in the health, environmental, transportation, and quality of life benefits of a thriving, attractive community.”

The BFC program is transforming the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. With this impressive round, there are now 259 BFCs in 47 states across

Cambridge is the highest rated city on the East Coast and one of only two communities east of the Mississippi River with the Gold level rating.

“Cambridge is proud of its reputation as one of the best cities for bicycling in the U.S. and is pleased to be recognized as such,” said Cambridge City Manager Robert Healy. “The City has actively invested in making cycling a priority, including establishing the Hubway bike share program and creating an expansive network of bicycle facilities. The popularity of bicycling here can be seen in the exponential growth in cycling, with numbers tripling in the past decade. The bicycling culture here is epitomized in such events as the award-winning community bike rides, which highlight the collaborative nature of our work, with citizens, local businesses and the City working together.”

Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis will accept the award on behalf of the city at a celebration of the recognition on Saturday, May 18, at 9:30 a.m., Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, just before the Cambridge Bicycle Committee “Sweet Ride.” For details: www.cambridgebikes.org.

The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously supported by program partner Trek Bicycle. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.